Va. Beach police say ‘crushed powder’ found on children’s food

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WTKR)– A woman was arrested Saturday and charged with attempted murder after police say she used prescription drugs to try to poison two children Friday.

Lorita M. Aiken, 26, was arraigned by a Virginia Beach judge Monday morning. She was denied bond and ordered to have a psychiatric evaluation by a judge at another hearing Tuesday, according to CBS 6 affiliates NewsChannel 3.

Police say Aiken tried to poison herself and the children at her home in the 5100 block of Richard Road in Virginia Beach, by putting prescription drugs in their food.

Detective Jones told the court on Tuesday he found crushed powder on cereal, ice cream, apple sauce and candy bars inside the home. Detective Jones also told the court he found 24 empty prescription pill bottles.

Prosecutors questioned the Virginia Beach mom about medications she takes. Aiken says she has a history with depression and has been seeing a general doctor every six months or so for the last couple of years.

Ativan, Celexa, Wellbutrin and Ambien are just a few of the medications Aiken told the court she’s been prescribed.

Detective Jones also says Aiken admitted to him she tried to take her and her children’s lives and that she thought about doing it before. Aiken has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder and two counts of altering food, drink, drugs, etc.

Find out where the children are now, and what could happen to Aiken, by reading the rest of the story on NewsChannel 3.